These Are This Week’s Road Construction Delay Areas
October 31, 2022
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
Escambia County:
- Interstate 10 (I-10) Escambia County Welcome Center – The front parking lot is temporarily closed as crews work to resurface the pavement. The other parking areas remain open. Temporary sidewalk modifications are also in place while work is underway.
- U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures and lane shifts on the Pensacola Bay Bridge Sunday, Oct. 30 through Saturday, Nov. 5 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Crews will be using lanes on the current bridge as a platform to pour concrete decks for the westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) structure.
- Saufley Field Road (State Road (S.R.) 296), from the Naval Air Station Entrance to West of Mobile Highway (U.S. 90) – Drivers will encounter single lane closures with traffic flagging operations on Parda Road as crews remove and reconstruct a portion of the roadway. The closures will continue for the next several weeks.
- West Cervantes Street (U.S. 90) Pedestrian Safety Improvement – Drivers may encounter intermittent daytime and nighttime single lane closures and lane shifts, between A Street and Dominguez Street. The closures will allow crews to work on the new pedestrian barrier fence and other miscellaneous final work activities. In addition, the seven new mid-block crossing signals on Cervantes Street are now in operation. Motorists are reminded to stop for the flashing yellow lights when pedestrians are using the mid-block crossings.
- Pace Boulevard from Barrancas Avenue to Massachusetts Avenue – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures and sidewalk closures on Pace Boulevard and side streets, between Barrancas Avenue and North Palafox Street (U.S. 29) through Wednesday, Nov. 30 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. The work will allow crews to adjust manholes, mill and pave the roadways, and make sidewalk and curb improvements. Pedestrians will be detoured to the signalized intersections to access the sidewalks on the other side of Pace Boulevard.
- I-10 at the Interstate 110 (I-110) Interchange – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures on the following ramps Sunday, Oct. 30 through Thursday, Nov. 3 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. for installation of thermoplastic pavement markings:
- I-110 northbound ramp to I-10 eastbound.
- I-110 northbound ramp to I-10 westbound.
- I-110 northbound ramp to Davis Highway.
- Davis Highway on-ramp to I-110 southbound.
- I-10 eastbound ramp to I-110 southbound.
- Sorrento Road Resurfacing from the Theo Baars Bridge to Bauer Road – Drivers will encounter intermittent lane closures between Innerarity Point Road and Bauer Road from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 30 through Thursday, Nov. 3. The closures will allow crews to mill and pave the roadway.
- · Barrancas Avenue Routine Maintenance from Manchester Street to the Bayou Chico Bridge – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures on Barrancas Avenue, between Manchester Street and the Bayou Chico Bridge, from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 30 through Sunday, Nov. 6. The closures will allow crews to work on the manholes and place thermoplastic striping on the roadway.
- East Nine Mile Road. (U.S. 90A) from Chemstrand Road to East of Baldridge Drive – The bicycle lanes are temporarily closed to allow crews to widen the turn lanes and construct new five-foot bicycle lanes. In addition, the speed limit on this section of East Nine Mile Road has been reduced from 45 mph to 35 mph as vehicles and bicycles will now share the roadway. The closure and speed limit reduction will be in place until the project is complete next summer.
- North Ninth Avenue (S.R. 289) Carpenters Creek Bridge Replacement – The Ninth Avenue northbound bridge over Carpenter’s Creek is open with four travel lanes, two in each direction. Drivers will continue to encounter intermittent and alternating lane closures as crews place the final layer or “friction course” of asphalt and perform final work activities.
- Pensacola Boulevard (U.S. 29), from Brent Lane (S.R. 296) to North of I-10 – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures Sunday, Oct. 30 through Thursday, Nov. 3 from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. as crews pave the roadway. In addition, traffic on Pensacola Boulevard, from Brent Lane to north of I-10, will be shifted back to the normal traffic alignment as the median barrier wall work has been completed.
- Lillian Highway (S.R. 298), from North of U.S. 98 to east of Fairfield Drive (S.R. 727) and Lillian Highway at Blue Angel Parkway (S.R. 173) - Drivers may encounter intermittent lane closures on Lillian Highway, between U.S. 98 and Blue Angel Highway, for erosion control operations. Shoulder closures will be present throughout the project for erosion control installation.
- U.S. 90 Routine Bridge Maintenance over Alabama and Gulf Coast Railroad Overpass – Motorist will encounter intermittent lane closures east of I-10 Tuesday, Nov. 1 from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. from routine maintenance.
- U.S. 29 Routine Bridge Maintenance over Pine Barren Creek Bridge – Motorist will encounter intermittent lane closures north of S.R. 97 Wednesday, Nov. 2 from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. from routine maintenance
- U.S. 98 Routine Bridge Maintenance over Alabama and Gulf Coast Railroad Overpass – Motorist will encounter intermittent lane closures west of S.R. 292 Thursday, Nov. 3 from 8 p.m. to 12a.m. from routine maintenance
Santa Rosa County:
- Pensacola Bay Bridge (U.S. 98) Replacement – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures and lane shifts on the Pensacola Bay Bridge Sunday, Oct. 30 through Saturday, Nov. 5 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Crews will be using lanes on the current bridge as a platform to pour concrete decks for the westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) structure.
- U.S. 90 Bridge Replacement over Simpson River - Construction crews have temporarily shifted eastbound traffic to the westbound bridge over Simpson River. The shift is expected to be in place through March 2023. During this time, there will be two westbound lanes and one eastbound travel lane using the westbound bridge. Due to the traffic shift, there will not be dedicated bike lanes on the bridge. Drivers are urged to use extra caution as they will be temporarily sharing the bridge with cyclists. Drivers are also reminded that the speed limit is 35 mph through the work zone.
- I-10 Resurfacing East of S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard) to East of S.R. 87 – Motorists can expect intermittent nighttime and daytime lane closures Monday, Oct. 31 through Friday, Nov. 4 for construction activities.
- U.S. 98 Widening from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive – Motorists will encounter the following traffic impacts:
- Median and turn-lane closures from Bayshore Road to Tiger Point Drive.
- Intermittent lane closures and additional median closures between S.R. 281 and Bayshore Road Sunday, Oct. 30 through Friday, Nov. 4 from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for stormwater drainage improvements and paving operations.
- Settlers Colony Boulevard will remain closed to complete necessary drainage improvements. Motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians will access Settlers Colony Boulevard via Venetian Way and Coronado Drive. Detour signs will be in place. Residents may experience noise, vibrations, and dust during daytime hours as part of this drainage improvement effort.
- S.R. 4 Roadway Maintenance East of Magaha Road in Jay – Motorists will encounter intermittent daytime lane closures Monday, Oct. 31 through Friday, Nov. 4 for paving operations.
- S.R. 4 Routine Bridge Maintenance over Wilson Branch Creek Bridge – Motorist will encounter intermittent lane closures east of U.S. 29 Monday, Oct. 31 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. from routine maintenance.
All activities are weather-dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Ole Miss Shuts Out LSU; Mississippi State Tops Texas A&M. And Escambia County Wins In SEC Tourney Day One
October 31, 2022
Ole Miss shut out LSU and Mississippi State beat Texas A&M in day one of the SEC Women’s Soccer Tournament at Ashton Brosnaham Park. And the day was a big win for Escambia County.
Ole Miss 3, LSU 0
The three-time SEC Goalkeeper of the Year showed why she is the best to ever do it Sunday afternoon as Ole Miss (9-6-4) shut out LSU (9-3-7) in a match that was decided on penalty kicks. Ashley Orkus and the Rebel defense kept the Tigers off the board through regulation, two overtime periods, and three rounds of penalty kicks to advance to the quarterfinals.
For a Ole Miss, LSU photo gallery, click or tap here.
Both teams showed out defensively as there was just one shot on goal in the first half of the match. The Rebels turned up the heat in the second half, outshooting the Tigers 9-4.
Neither team could gain an advantage in the two overtime periods, taking just three shots apiece.
The Rebels now advance to the quarterfinals where they will face the SEC East Division Champion South Carolina Gamecocks on Tuesday at noon.
Mississippi State 2, Texas A&M 1 (OT)
In the first overtime match of the season for the Mississippi State soccer program (11-4-4), the Bulldogs outlasted the Texas A&M Aggies (9-6-5) to advance to the SEC Tournament Quarterfinals. Graduate transfer Jojo Ngongo’s 99th-minute header helped secure State its first conference tournament appearance past the first round.
For a Mississippi State, Texas A&M photo gallery, click or tap here.
“The fight in this group is unbelievable – they never gave up tonight,” head coach James Armstrong said. “This is a special group who continues to fight through adversity. Beyond proud of these players and staff.”
The No. 8 seeded Bulldogs will return to the pitch Tuesday, Nov. 1, for a quarterfinal match against the No. 1 seeded Alabama Crimson Tide (17-1-1, 10-0 SEC). The match will kick off at 5 p.m.
Big Win For Escambia County
Day one of the SEC Tournament opened with big crowds at Ashton Brosnaham Park off 10 Mile Road.
“We far exceeded our expectations, along with SEC expectations on the size of the crowd,” Escambia County Parks and Recreation Director Michael Rhodes told NorthEscambia.com on the field between Sunday’s games. “This is the largest highest profile event we’ve ever had at Ashton Brosnaham Park….We thank the community for showing in a large way.”
“All nine games are being televised live on the SEC Network and that kind of coverage for Escambia County and Pensacola is absolutely invaluable.”
Tuesday’s Games
The tournament continues with quarterfinals on Tuesday.
South Carolina will face Ole Miss at noon; Tennessee and Georgia are at 2:30 p.m.; No. 1 Alabama plays Mississippi State at 5 p.m., and Arkansas will take on Vanderbilt at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets are on sale at secticketoffice.com. All-tournament passes are $25. Individual game tickets for first round, quarterfinals and semifinals are $7 for adults and $5 for students/military. Tickets for the championship game on Sunday, Nov. 6 are $10 for adults and $7 for students/military. Kids 12 and under wearing a soccer jersey get in free with a paying adult. A service fee is applied to all ticket purchases. A clear bag policy is in effect for the event.
All games will be televised on the SEC Network.
NorthEscambia.com photos by William Reynolds, click to enlarge.
Century Receives $8.8 Million Wastewater System Loan; Nearly $8 Million To Be Forgiven
October 31, 2022
The Town of Century has been awarded an $8.8 million loan for wastewater system upgrades, and they won’t be required to repay nearly $8 million of it.
Century will receive a $8,865,336 loan from the State Revolving Fund Program (SRF) and Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Ninety percent of the principal — $7,978,802 — will be forgiven through the SRF and the Disadvantage Small Community Grants Program. Century will be required repay just 10% or $886,534.
“This is huge for Century,” Mayor Ben Boutwell said. “This means no more band-aids for our infrastructure.”
The state fund will be used for improvement and repairs at the Century Wastewater Treatment Plant, to the sanitary sewer pumping system including several lift stations, and to the master lift station at the Century Correctional Institution.
“This will bring our wastewater infrastructure into the 21st century and last us for the next 20 or 30 years,” Boutwell said.
Pictured: The Century Wastewater Treatment Plant. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Big Price Jump Likely As State Gas Holiday Expires On Tuesday
October 31, 2022
Florida gas prices are poised for an abrupt increase this week, when the state gas tax holiday expires on November 1st. The sales tax holiday called for a 25 cent discount at the pump throughout October. So it stands to reason that when the gas tax is reinstated on Tuesday, drivers will likely see about a 25 cent jump at the pump, according to AAA.
On Sunday, the state average price for gasoline averaged $3.29 per gallon.
In Escambia County, the average was $3.13 a gallon. A North Escambia low of $3.05 could be found at at least two stations on Highway 29 in Cantonment. In Escambia County, the per gallon price was as low as $2.87 at a Nine Mile Road station.
“While Halloween is traditionally a time for filling bags with candy, drivers may also want to fill their gas tank to take advantage of current prices at the pump,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Pump prices will likely rise 25 cents overnight, when the state gas tax expires on Tuesday morning.”
When the state sales tax holiday was implemented on October 1, gas prices declined a total of 22 cents within a couple of days, falling from $3.39 to $3.17 per gallon. Unfortunately for drivers, that discount was short lived. During the first week of October, OPEC announced plans to cut its oil production rate, which sparked a 17% oil price hike, raising the cost of producing gasoline. This ultimately dragged Florida gas prices back to where they were before the state’s gas tax holiday.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
New Dollar General Stores Open In Molino And Walnut Hill
October 30, 2022
Two new Dollar General stores have opened in North Escambia.
The Walnut Hill store is located at 7100 Highway 97, on the north side of the intersection of South Highway 99. The development was limited to 2.08 acres of a 4.12 acre property, including a 10,769 square-foot store with 43 parking spaces and a new driveway connection to Highway 97 directly across from South Highway 99.
The Molino store opened Saturday morning at 4430 North Highway 29. The 10,640 square foot Dollar General is located on a 1.5 acre parcel with driveway access to Highway 196, not Highway 29.
The first customer at the Molino store Saturday morning was Carson Spikes (pictured above), who purchased Nerd candy, gum and a Cherry Pepsi.
Pictured above and first below: The new Dollar General near Molino. Pictured bottom: The new Dollar General in Walnut Hill. NorthEscambia.com and reader submitted photos, click to enlarge.
Thousands Participate In Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk
October 30, 2022
Thousands of people took part in the annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk in downtown Pensacola Saturday morning.
An estimated 7,000 people took part in the walk, many of which walked to honor loved ones fighting breast cancer or those that have lost their lives.
Pictured: Among the thousands taking part in the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk Saturday morning were the Tate High School softball team and friends. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Man Killed After Falling Off Side Of Pickup Truck In Escambia County
October 30, 2022
A Georgia man died early Saturday morning in Escambia County after falling off a moving pickup truck to the roadway.
The Florida Highway Patrol said the 33-year old man from Simmons Island, Georgia was hanging onto the left side of a pickup truck that was traveling southbound on New Warrington Road about 4 a.m.
Troopers said the man “fell from the outside of the pickup and collided with the roadway.”
The pickup truck continued without stopping. Troopers said criminal charges will be pending once the driver is found.
The FHP report does not offer any reason why the man was hanging onto the side of the pickup truck.
Pensacola Man Charged With Atmore Store Robbery And Assault
October 30, 2022
A Pensacola man has been charged in connection with the October 15 robbery of a downtown Atmore business
Paul McReynolds, 58, is charged with robbery first degree, assault first degree and unlawful imprisonment first degree.
Atmore Police said he was developed early as a suspect in the robbery of New York Fashions on North Main Street near the Atmore Chamber of Commerce.
“The victim was found by a customer who immediately called 911. Responding officers arrived on the scene and contacted the victim inside the business with a head wound. It appeared the suspect attempted to restrain the victim but was unsuccessful,” Atmore Police Sgt. Darrell McMann said following the robbery.
Officers from the Atmore Police Department and Poarch Tribal Police located McReynolds’ vehicle in the parking lot of the Wind Creek Casino. As officers approached, he attempted to flee the area on foot. He was taken into custody across Highway 21 near the Hampton Inn.
McReynolds was booked into the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center where he remained Sunday without bond.
UWF Defeats West Alabama 36-24 On Senior Day
October 30, 2022
The UWF football team rushed for 293 yards and got a school-record five field goals from Griffin Cerra to defeat West Alabama, 36-24, at Pen Air Field on Saturday.
UWF (7-1, 5-1 Gulf South) extended its winning streak to five games and completed its home regular-season with a 4-1 mark.
Peewee Jarrett passed for just 93 yards but ran for a game-high 114 yards – also a UWF quarterback record – on 15 carries with a touchdown to keep the Tigers potent run defense at bay much of the game.
“Peewee used his legs extremely well tonight and we needed it,” UWF head coach Pete Shinnick said.
Additionally, CJ Wilson rushed for 86 yards on 10 carries and Ra’veion Hargrove totaled 50 yards on 11 carries with a touchdown.
On Saturday, the Argonauts fell behind 10-7 early in the second quarter before getting three Cerra boots and a 23-yard touchdown run by Hargrove to go ahead 23-10 midway through the third.
UWA stopped the skid with a Bry Webb score from a yard out but it would be a very short celebration for the visitors.
CJ Wilson broke off a 27-yard run on first down before Jarrett went deep to David Durden on a dead sprint in the back of the end zone for a 48-yard bomb over the top that put the Argos ahead 30-17.
“I thought that throw and catch was spectacular,” Shinnick said. “We needed that. We had just had a CJ Wilson run prior to that so a two play, 75-yard drive was huge.”
The Tigers scored two minutes later, converting a double pass when Demetrius Battle found Darius Nalls in open space for a 57-yard touchdown that cut the UWF lead to 30-24.
But the Argos got Cerra field goals of 36 and 31 yards while chewing up a combined 9:58 off the clock in the final quarter. In between, the Tigers had a 3-and-out that halted any chance of momentum they might have had.
UWF had tremendous field position all game, with an average starting spot on its own 43 yard line. Durden had 94 of his 142 all-purpose yards on punt returns, including two huge returns of 38 and 21 yards that setup the Argos on the UWA side of the field. The ensuring Argo possessions both resulted in field goals as UWF regained momentum.
Cerra’s career day saw him tie the GSC record for made field goals, matching six previous kickers, including Colin Karhu of North Greenville last week against UWA. Cerra scored a career-high 18 points.
Cerra and Durden were just the tip of the iceberg for the UWF special teams on Saturday. Steve Dawson punted twice for a 48.5 average and Da’quan Bailey-Brown had kickoff returns of 51 and 21 yards.
UWA (4-5, 2-4) finished with 421 yards of total offense with 255 through the air. Tucker Melton was 14-for-27 for 198 yards with an interception.
UWF will now hit the road for its final two regular-season games, beginning next Saturday at Valdosta State (4-5, 2-4). Kickoff at Bazemore-Hyder Stadium in Valdosta, Georgia is at 7 p.m. Eastern time.
Photo: Morgan Givens
Missing, Endangered Woman Located
October 29, 2022
UPDATE: This missing an endangered woman has been located according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is searching for a missing and endangered woman.
Erica Michele Abel, 38, was last seen Friday around 6 p.m. driving a 2006 Nissan sedan, Florida tag # 56DAGL. She was last seen wearing white and black leggings, and white shirt with a multi-colored print.
Anyone with information is asked to call the ECSO at (850) 433-9620.